A United States missionary, Alex Barbir, has blasted the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, over the church’s donation to President Bola Tinubu’s administration to evacuate stranded Nigerians from South Africa.
Condemning the donation, Barbir described the intervention as “an act of slavery,” questioning the decision by the church to provide financial support for an exercise being coordinated by the Federal Government under Tinubu’s administration.
The RCCG reportedly donated $265,854 to support the evacuation of 500 Nigerians who had indicated their desire to return home from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acknowledged the donation made by the church led by Pastor Adeboye.
It also applauded the RCCG for what it described as “an act of compassion and solidarity” towards Nigerians facing difficult circumstances abroad.
The ministry further stated that the money would provide 500 one-way flight tickets for Nigerians seeking to leave South Africa.
Reacting, Barbir questioned the role of Christian leaders in supporting government-led interventions while, in his view, Christians in Nigeria continue to face insecurity and attacks.
“This is an act of slavery,” Barbir, a humanitarian worker, said.
DAILY POST reports that Barbir has also been vocal about killings in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria and has challenged the government over its response to attacks on communities.
Evacuation: US missionary blasts Pastor Adeboye over donation to Tinubu administration